VMT MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Make it Three in a Row Over the Bullets

In Alan Williams' return to the Fire Pit, he was the standout, dropping 21 points and grabbing six rebounds.

John Cain Arena was alight as the Phoenix got out to as much as 25 points ahead, with Mike Kelly utilising his bench in the final term to help his side to a 4-3 record after tonight’s win.

With just a one-day break in between games, Kelly’s full roster – the first time he had all of his players available this season – was applied.

In his return from an ankle injury, Ben Ayre (16 points) stepped up with Will Cummings suffering a badly corked thigh and taking little part in the second half.

Rhys Vague played his best game for his new club, shooting 75 per cent from three-point range and finishing with 12 points.

The highlight of the day saw Alan Williams drain a shot from beyond the arc, not only sending the crowd and the bench into raptures, but the 203cm centre as well.

The second quarter was again the turning point for the Phoenix outscoring their opposition by 10 points and gaining the ascendency on the scoreboard.

Nathan Sobey was the shining light for the Bullets, the captain leading from the front with 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Phoenix will now enjoy a seven-day break before taking on the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday Night.

Creek Dunk

Mitch Creek was subject to a fitness test pre-game on a lingering calf issue that almost ruled him out of the contest, but he perservered and silenced any doubters to his fitness with a huge dunk to start proceedings. He ended with 10 points from 26 minutes.

Bench Power

Playing just 48 hours after defeating Adelaide and travelling home, there were questions early on how the Phoenix would bounce back from such a quick turnaround. But Mike Kelly used all 13 of his allotted squad tonight, with the bench proving to be no second-stringers, contributing 50 points.

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Defense, Defense!

The Phoenix, under their renewed coaching staff in NBL24, are living up to the pre-season calls that they would be a defensive juggernaut. They kept the Bullets to just 73 points tonight, on the back of 85 from Adelaide and Tasmania. Mike Kelly preached a defence first mindset when he took the job, and the mantra is reaping the rewards.

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Full-Time Stats

Williams: 21p/6r/3a/1stl

Ayre: 16p/3r/1a

Vague: 12p/6r/1a

Creek: 10p/7r

Te Rangi: 7p/1r/1stl

Moller: 7p/7r/2a/2stl

Kenyon: 6p/5r

Gak: 6p/5r

Browne: 4p/2r/3a

Cummings: 4p/1r/2a/2stl

Rosendale: 3p

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